1. Overview of the Collection

Long, James S., American Tung
Oil Association, Pan American Tung Research and Development League

Collection Number

M447

Collection Title

Tung Oil Research and
Development Collection

Size

34 cubic feet

Language

English

Dates

1930-1974 and undated

Collection Status

Fully processed

Abstract

“Tung Oil Research and
Development” was an effort of many organizations utilizing Mississippi and
Argentinian tung oil crops in a variety of methods, most notably in paints
and varnishes, from the 1930s to the 1970s. The collection contains a variety of materials
from laboratory notes, business records, photographs, and various correspondences
from around southern Mississippi.

2. Subjects

American Tung Oil Association

National Tung Oil Association

Mississippi History

Pan American Tung Research and Development
League (PATRDL)

Long, James S. “Shorty”

Thames, Shelby

School of Polymers and High
Performance Materials - University of Southern Mississippi

Timber Industry – United
States

3. Biographical/Historical Note

Development of programs in
south Mississippi to create materials from tung nuts and tung oil began in
the early 1930s. Various entities
were formed for the purpose (among others) of carrying out research and development
work on tung oil and tung oil containing products as well as producing such
products as paints and varnishes and processes through which to apply such
paints. These organizations
included the American Tung Oil Association, the National Tung Oil Marketing
Cooperative, the Tung Research and Development League and the Pan American
Tung Research and Development League.
This last was the most significant of the organizations, eventually
becoming the School of Polymers and High Performance Materials (known as the
Department of Polymer Science at its founding in 1972) at the University of
Southern Mississippi under direction of Dr. Shelby Thames.

The development of the tung
industry gathered interest in the United States in the 1930s. The first conference of the American
Tung Oil Association occurred in 1934.
In 1938, the United States Department of Agriculture sponsored tung
experimental stations in various places in the southern United States where
tung was found to grow.
Various approaches to research were taken, in particular using tung oil’s
toxic properties as a pesticide.
During this time, Dr. J. S. Long was involved in developing processes
of blown drying oil and derivatives apart from the tung industry.

During the 1940s, tung oil
became a large commodity due to rationing in World War II. As the war demanded more of the
product, growers responded.
Growers in the southern United States began making a profit and thus
began to form organization such as the American Tung Oil Association and the
United Tung Growers Association.

In the years after World War
II, the demand for tung oil continued to be high. Growers formed other organizations
such as the National Tung Oil Marketing Cooperative. In 1955, the Tung Research Development
League formed as a nonprofit organization to find other uses for tung oil to
continue the demand. The group
began many studies on using tung oil in paints and varnishes as well as
patenting methods of applying these items. In 1958, Tung Research and Development
League became the Pan American Tung Research and Development League. Pan American Tung Research and
Development League was an internal research organization funded by United
States and South American tung farmers independent of the University of
Southern Mississippi but had laboratories located on its campus in the George
Hurst building and in a central office in Poplarville, MS. The various projects were continued,
including speculation into creating a tung oil based paint suitable for
states to use on highways and roads and a patent for electrodeposition which
helped apply paint to metal that the of which the automotive industry took
notice.

In 1969, Hurricane Camille
caused the tung crops in the southern United States to go from 55,000 in
number to less than 6,000. Unable
to find suitable funds to continue research, the Pan American Tung Research
and Development League closed in 1972, transferring its patents and equipment
to the University of Southern Mississippi in the creation of a Department of
Polymer Science. The department
has grown to be world-renown in its field, now located in the Polymer Science
Research Center on the university campus as the School of Polymers and High
Performance Vehicles.

4. Scope and Content Note

“Tung Oil Research and
Development” was an effort of many organizations utilizing Mississippi and
Argentinian tung oil crops in a variety of methods, most notably in paints
and varnishes. The collection
contains a variety of materials from laboratory notes, business records,
photographs, and various correspondences from around southern Mississippi
from the 1930s to the 1970s.

The laboratory notes and
business records contain materials and studies gathered from the laboratories
on the University of Southern Mississippi campus and the central offices of
the Pan American Tung Research and Development League in Poplarville, MS from
circa 1940s to the 1970s. The
notes and business records were organized according to project and subject
and kept in the original order when possible and alphabetical when not.

The photographs are in a
variety of sizes, including 8x10, 3.25x2.5, 3.75x3.25, 3.25x4,3.5x3.5, 4x5,
4.5x7, 3.5x2.5 and slides. The
photographs range in a variety of subjects from laboratory activities, experiments
and personnel to local subjects, places, and events.

5. Arrangement

The varied types of materials
in the collection allowed for a separation of materials by subject yet
without the creation of series due to overlapping time frames and cross
references of various subjects.

Specific laboratory project
notes were grouped by the project number (if applicable) then sorted by
date. Items such as
correspondence, patent applications, etc. about specific laboratory projects
were grouped with the project.

Papers not devoted to specific
laboratory projects or project groups were then organized alphabetically by
subject.

Photographs found in the
collection were kept with related materials to give a cohesion and context to
the items.

Oversized items such as graphs
were arranged by project and cross-referenced.

6. Related Material

Related collections at the
University of Southern Mississippi include:

M446
Thigpen (S. G.) Papers

M316
Tatum Family Collection

Long
(Dr. James S.) Papers (unprocessed)

7. Administrative Information

Provenance

? Found
in the American Tung Oil Institute Records by Corey Proctor, Student
Assistant

? Given
by Professor George Bufkin

? Received
from Dr. W. D. McCain (original contributor unknown)

? U.S.M
Polymer Science Department

Use Restrictions

This collection may be
protected from unauthorized copying by the
Copyright Law of the United
States (Title 17, United States Code).
Reproduction of original
materials may be provided for a fee and at the
discretion of the curator.
Provision of photocopies or digital reproductions
does not constitute permission
to publish, distribute, provide internet
access to, or otherwise display
images of materials in this collection.
Copyright is retained by the
lawful copyright holder, and it is the
responsibility of the
permission seeker to contact and secure permission
from the copyright holder.
Where copyright permission is not granted,
images are only for use in
private study subject to the Fair Use exceptions
made in U.S. Copyright Law.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for
research use, except Box 69 which contains payroll and bank records with
personal information of persons still living.

Preferred Citation Method

In citing these materials, the
following information should be included:

Item, title of collection,
McCain Library and Archives, The University of

Southern Mississippi.

Sponsor

Processing of this collection
was sponsored by a grant from the National Historical Publications and
Records Commission

(NHPRC).

Processing Information

Collection processed and
finding aid written by Evan Williamson, February 2013.

9. Item List

Photograph Log

Test boards for exterior clear finishes testing at the Pan
American Tung Research and Development League laboratories. (Box 1, Folder 8)

M447-2 Project
36: Electrodeposition Test

12 Slides Color circa
1960s

Images of included samples of electrodeposition test plates
at the Pan American Tung Research and Development League laboratories. (Box 18, Folder 1)

M447-3 American
Tung Oil Association Meeting

8 x 10 B
& W circa
1960s

Members of the American Tung Oil Association gathered around
a swimming pool posing for a photograph. (Box 26, Folder 10)

M447-4 American
Tung Oil Association Meeting

8 x 10 B
& W circa
1960s

Members of the American Tung Oil Association gathered in a
conference hall. Most are gathered
around tables while some are on a panel on the upper left of the
photograph. (Box 26, Folder 10)

M447-5 Mixer

2.5 x 3.25 Sepia circa
1960s

Mixer used in production of chemicals. (Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-6 Before
Painting Bullock House

3.25 x 3.75 Sepia July
1, 1966

“Bullock House before Painting. July 1, 1966 Peeled Places have been
scraped & wire brushed” according to note on back of photograph. Wooden wall and post. (Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-7 Before
Painting Bullock House

3.25 x 4 Sepia July
1, 1966

“Bullock House Photo July 1, 196, after scraping & wire
brushing. Painted July 1” according to note on back of photograph. Wooden wall. (Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-8 Before
Painting Bullock House

3.25 x 4 Sepia July
1, 1966

“Bullock House Photo - July 1, 1966 after scraping &
wire brushing painted July 1”
according to note on back of photograph. Man in white t-shirt in lower right
pointing to wooden wall. (Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-9 Painting
Bullock House

3.25 x 4 Sepia July
1, 1966

“Bullock House Photo July 1, 1966 after scraping Painted
July 1” according to note on back of photograph. Man in white t-shirt painting eave of
house.

(Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-10 Before
Painting

3.5 x 3.5 B
& W circa
1966

Underneath corner eave of house. (Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-11 Before
Painting

3.5 x 3.5 B
& W circa
1966

Underneath eave of house. (Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-12 Before
Painting

3.5 x 3.5 B
& W circa
1966

Underneath corner eave of house with metal pipe. (Box 50,
Folder 9)

M447-13 Before
Painting

3.5 x 3.5 B
& W circa
1966

Underneath eave of house. Much like M447-11. (Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-14 Before
Painting

3.5 x 3.5 B
& W circa
1966

Underneath corner eave of house. Much like M447-10

(Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-15 Before
Painting

3.5 x 3.5 B
& W circa
1966

Underneath corner eave of house. Much like M447-11.

(Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-16 Before
Painting

3.5 x 3.5 B
& W circa
1966

Underneath corner eave of house with metal pipe. Alternate
angle of M447-12

(Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-17 Before
Painting

3.5 x 3.5 B
& W circa
1966

Underneath eave of house. Much like M447-11. (Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-18 Pan
American Tung Research and Development League Laboratory

4 x 5 B
& W circa
1960s

Three people (male and female sitting at desks as well as
one male in background) inside laboratory.
(Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-19 Pan
American Tung Research and Development League (PATRDL) Equipment

4.5 x 7 B
& W circa
1960s

Two pieces of laboratory equipment and a desk. (Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-20 Pan
American Tung Research and Development League (PATRDL) Female Scientist

7 x 4.5 B
& W circa
1960s

A woman sitting at a desk working with laboratory
equipment. (Box 50, Folder 9)

James Scott Long stands in front of a map of Argentina. (Box
50, Folder 9)

M447-23 PATRDL
Laboratory Male Scientist and Kettle

10 x 8 B
& W circa
1960s

Man stands with clipboard to the left of a kettle in the
laboratory. (Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-24 PATRDL
Laboratory, Male Scientist

8 x 10 B
& W circa
1960s

Male stands to the right of laboratory apparatus (center).
(Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-25 PATRDL
Laboratory

10 x 8 B
& W circa
1960s

Four scientists in laboratory. From left to right: Man behind table
standing and writing on clipboard, woman sitting at table working with
apparatus, man standing looking at fluid in graduated cylinder, and man with
back to camera working with items under a fume hood. (Box 50, Folder 9)

M447-26 Tung
Technical

3.5 x 2.5 Negative circa
1950s

Row of tung trees with fruit or nuts on the ground. (Box 50,
Folder 10)

M447-27 Tung
Technical

3.5 x 2.5 Negative circa
1950s

Row of tung trees with fruit or nuts on the ground. (Box 50,
Folder 10)

Man presenting a woman with flowers on stage. At least seven
women behind the man and woman sitting down. Eight men in uniform behind the
women sitting down are standing. A
crowd looks on from behind the stage and from windows of the building in the
background. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-95 Tung
Festival, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Man in suit talking into a microphone on stage. At least 14 women in dress clothes and
11 men in uniform are standing behind him.
A crowd looks on from behind the stage and from windows of the building
in the background. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-96 Tung
Festival, Covington, LA 1955

2.5 x 3.5 Negative 1955

Woman holding flowers and man with her. At least seven women
behind the man and woman sitting down. Eight men in uniform behind the
women sitting down are standing. A
crowd looks on from behind the stage and from windows of the building in the
background. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-97 Tung
Festival, Covington, LA 1955

2.5 x 3.5 Negative 1955

Man kissing a woman with flowers on stage. At least seven
women behind the man and woman sitting down. Several men in uniform can be seen
behind the women.

(Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-98 Tung
Festival, Covington, LA 1955

2.5 x 3.5 Negative 1955

Man in suit standing woman with flowers on stage. At least
seven women behind the man and woman sitting down. Several men in uniform can be seen
behind the women.

(Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-99 Tung
Festival, Covington, LA 1955

2.5 x 3.5 Negative 1955

Man placing a crown on a woman with flowers on stage. At
least seven women behind the man and woman sitting down. Eight men in uniform behind the
women sitting down are standing. A
crowd looks on from behind the stage and from windows of the building in the
background. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-100 Tung
Festival, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Man in suit talking into a microphone on stage. At least 14 women in dress clothes and
11 men in uniform are standing behind him.
A crowd looks on from behind the stage and from windows of the building
in the background. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-101 Tung
Festival, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Man in suit talking into a microphone on stage. At least 14 women in dress clothes and
11 men in uniform are standing behind him.
(Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-102 Tung
Festival, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Man in suit talking into a microphone on stage. Several people stand to the man’s
right. A crowd watches on the left
of the photograph. (Box 50, Folder
10)

M447-103 Tung
Festival, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Man in suit talking into a microphone on stage. At least 14 women in dress clothes and
11 men in uniform are standing behind him.
A crowd looks on from behind the stage and from windows of the building
in the background. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-104 Tung
Festival, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

At least 14 women in dress clothes are sitting and 11 men in
uniform are standing on a stage.
(Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-105 Tung
Festival Picnic, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Many people with plates standing outside around tables with
cans of potato chips on them. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-106 Tung
Festival Picnic, Covington, LA 1955

2.5 x 3.5 Negative 1955

Man in Stetson outside pointing off camera toward a table
covered with plates. A man and a
woman wearing Stetsons are standing in the right background of the photograph.
(Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-107 Tung
Festival Picnic, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Many people standing outside in two lines waiting to be
served food.

(Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-108 Tung
Festival Picnic, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Many people standing outside in two lines waiting. Men in uniforms and chef caps are
handing them plates and napkins.

(Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-109 Tung
Festival Picnic, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Many people standing outside in two lines waiting. Men in uniforms and chef caps are
handing them plates and napkins.

(Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-110 Tung
Festival Picnic, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Two men in uniforms and chef caps are serving food to two
women and a man.

(Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-111 Tung
Festival Picnic, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Two men in uniforms and chef caps are serving food to two
women and a man. Another man in
uniform and chef’s cap is standing to the right. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-112 Tung
Festival Picnic, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Many people standing outside in two lines waiting to be
served food. Much like M447-107 (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-113 Tung
Festival Picnic, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Men and women are sitting around at least three picnics
table. Several men and women are
standing to the left of the photo and behind the table. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-114 Tung
Festival Parade, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Man driving tractor pulling a parade float. Two girls sit on
the float under a flower arch and streamers cover the edge of the float. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-115 Tung
Festival Parade, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Man driving tractor pulling a parade float. Several children
ride the float dressed in costume. Float also has a domed structure upon
it. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-116 Tung
Festival Parade, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

A parade float with a woman in a ball gown sitting on a
throne decorated with hedges. The
sides of the float are also decorated like hedges. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-117 Tung
Festival Parade, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

A parade float with at least four children on it sitting
down. The float is decorated with
branches and a basket. (Box 50,
Folder 10)

M447-118 Tung
Festival Parade, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

A parade float with two women sitting down and waving to the
crowd. The float is decorated with
a picket fence and a covered well.
(Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-119 Tung
Festival Parade, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

Several children wearing Asian conical hats sit around the
edge of a parade float. The float
is decorated with the sculpture of a dragon and paper lanterns.

(Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-120 Tung
Festival Parade, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

A parade float with three people wearing Asian
costumes. Two stand and another
kneels. The float is decorated with
plants. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-121 Tung
Festival Parade, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

At least six horses and riders are shown in the middle of
the street. Of the three riders
shown, the most prominent (center) is a woman with curly hair and a cowboy
hat. The other riders are male or
off camera and could not be determined. (Box 50, Folder 10)

M447-122 Tung
Festival Parade, Covington, LA 1955

3.5 x 2.5 Negative 1955

At least six horses and riders are shown in the middle of
the street. Of the three riders
shown, the most prominent (center) is a woman with curly hair and a cowboy
hat. Much like M447-121(Box 50,
Folder 10)